LETTER: Mayor not involved in sheriff’s office pay

The duties and responsibilities of a county mayor are outlined in Tennessee Code Annotated §5-6-101. In no way does the office of mayor have any purview over the Sheriff or the compensation for employees of that department.

The assertion that Mayor Carolyn Bowers has any control over the salaries of the employees of the Sheriff’s Department, either now or in the past, is not only without merit but equally ludicrous. Only an uninformed and unqualified individual would make such an imprudent implication.

As retired deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety, I know that Carolyn and Mike Bowers have served the citizens of Tennessee and Montgomery County unselfishly for decades. Their service and dedication should not be tarnished by a sophomoric accusation meant only to delude the voting public.